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AFCON 2023: Victor Osimhen and Nigeria missing on CAF Group Stage Best XI

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AFCON 2023: Victor Osimhen and Nigeria missing on CAF Group Stage Best XI
By Monsurah Olatunji

No Nigerian player made the list as CAF released its official starting XI for the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
CAF revealed the team of the group stage on Thursday evening 24 hours after the final games of the preliminary round, with Nigerian stars missing, including reigning Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen.
Despite Nigeria finishing the group unbeaten and Osimhen being involved in all three goals scored by the Super Eagles, no player from Jose Pedeiro’s side made the cut.
Osimhen was Man-of-the-Match in the Super Eagles 1-0 win over hosts Cote d’Ivoire, while Moses Simon scooped the award after the odd goal win over Guinea Bissau.
However, neither player got on the Best XI for the group stage. The likes of Stanley Nwabali, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, and William Troost-Ekong have also all impressed as the Super Eagles reached the last 16.
Also missing on the list is Ghanaian and West Ham star, Mohammed Kudus, who scored the first brace of the tournament.
Instead, the starting XI team was dominated by giants Morocco and Senegal, along with Equatorial Guinea, who finished as Group A winners ahead of Nigeria on the same point.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions have four players while Senegal and Equatorial Guinea have three and two players respectively with top scorer, Emilio Nsue, leading the attack.
However, with the knockout rounds still to come, the Super Eagles will be determined to prove they deserve more recognition from CAF at the AFCON 2023.
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